Virgil H. Hill, of Clarkston, was born Jan. 20, 1944, in Cottonwood. He was the son of Earl Chester and Dorothy Elizabeth (Webb) Hill.
He died peacefully of dementia/chronic kidney disease at 80 years old Thursday, April 18, 2024, at Palouse Hills Assisted Living/Memory Care in Moscow, with loved ones at his bedside.
He was married to Karen K. Kimmons in January 1971, which ended in divorce. He had 2 sons, Jason Hill and Brian Hill.
Virgil later married Peggy A. O’Shaughnessy on Feb. 12, 2005. He inherited three daughters, Cassandra (Cassie) Melland, Christina (Christie) Wyatt and Catherine (Katie) O’Shaughnessy. Other than their grandpa, Mick O’Shaughnessy, Virgil was truly the “Dad” they never had.
Virgil was raised in Reubens where his pride and joy was his horse, Prince, which he raised from a foal. He went through all years of school, ending his education journey his junior year of high school. He decided he wanted to join the U.S. Air Force, but he was only 17 which required a signature from his parent(s). Virgil was a rebellious type in high school, so when he explained to his dad he wanted to join the Air Force and needed his signature, his dad said, “Give me that form!” and signed right then.
Virgil was enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on June 15, 1961; boot camp/school at Amarillo Air Force Base, Texas, then stationed in France. He received an honorable discharge on Feb. 1, 1964, as Airman Second Class (E-3).
Virgil was hired by United Parcel Service (UPS) in 1964 after returning home. He was one of the first two drivers hired in the state of Idaho. He worked in Lewiston and Grangeville, driving all over the Prairie and Palouse making deliveries. He later did long hauls to Boise and Spokane. Before retiring, he received the Circle of Honor award from UPS for 35 years of safe driving. He retired after 35 years in April 1999.
Virgil was a member of the Elks Lodge in Grangeville. He was a member of the Lewiston Orchards Nazarene Church and served on the church board for a few years. Virgil was baptized in the Snake River out in Asotin on Sept. 19, 2010, which was a highlight of his life. He later started to attend Crosspoint Alliance Church and took a class in which he fell more in love with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He made several gentlemen friends at both churches and enjoyed many conversations with each of them.
Virgil loved outdoor activities; hunting, archery, camping, cross-country skiing and bicycling. He also loved to dance and took western swing dancing with his wife, Peggy.
He loved to laugh and had the greatest stories. He was great at sharing what he had and if it got broke, it didn’t bother him. He would just shrug and say, “it’s just a thing.” He took pride in teaching his sons and daughters to drive a stick shift, which was sometimes comical with all the jerking and killing of the engine.
He is survived by his wife, Peggy A. O’Shaughnessy Hill; his children, Jason (Gabrielle) Hill, Brian (Summer) Hill, Cassie (Nate) Melland, Christie (Daniel) Wyatt and Katie (Phil Konen) O’Shaughnessy; his brothers, Wayne Hill and Robert Hill; 18 grandchildren and one great-grandson.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Earl Chester and Dorothy Elizabeth Hill; stepmother, Eleanor Hill; brothers, Larry Hill and Warren Hill.
In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation at wish.org.
A service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, June 14, at CrossPoint Alliance Church, 1330 Powers Ave., Lewiston with Pastor Curtis Blackwill officiating. A small reception will follow at church.
A funeral caravan will leave from the church for Rubens where a military service will take place at 1 p.m. officiated by Bob Sischo in the Reubens Cemetery.
The honorary pallbearers are: Sergeant Cameron Wassmuth, U.S. Army, Jordynn Hill, Joseph Hill, Mathew Melland, Ethan Melland, Madison O’Shaughnessy and Dominic O’Shaughnessy.
